Tuesday, July 28, 2009

4 Stays 10-7: Favre To Stay Retired

((HT: Minneapolis Star-Tribune/Zulgad))

Brett Favre won't be joining the Vikings.

Vikings coach Brad Childress told the Star Tribune late this afternoon that the quarterback informed the team he has decided to remain retired. Childress cited the daily grind both mentally and physically as part of the reason why Favre remained retired.

"I just think it was a rare opportunity to explore a Hall of Fame quarterback who had background in the NFC and in this division," Childress said. "He knows our system inside out ... This doesn't change anything about how I feel about our football team."

Favre's decision comes one day before players begin reporting to training in Mankato. Favre had told the team he would have a decision by Thursday, when players must officially report to camp. The Vikings begin practicing on Friday.

Favre's decision means that Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels will compete for the starting job. That was the plan when the Vikings acquired Rosenfels from Houston last February for a fourth-round draft pick.

Favre entered the picture when the New York Jets released him from their reserve/retired list on April 28 after the team drafted Mark Sanchez in the first round. Favre had retired from the Jets in February in part because he was bothered by a partially torn biceps in his throwing arm.

Favre, who will turn 40 on Oct. 10, had surgery in late May to repair the arm and began working out with receivers at a high school in Hattiesburg, Miss. Ultimately his concern became whether he could make it through the rigors of a 16-game season.

Earlier Tuesday, kicker Ryan Longwell, a former teammate of Favre's with Green Bay, had put the chances of Favre returning at only 50-50. This was after many thought Favre was a lock to return.

Zulgad and fellow Star-Trib Vikings beat writer Chip Scoggins discuss...
((HT: The Minneapolis Star-Tribune))

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